Prospecting Trabuco Creek in the Santa Ana mountains?

I have been wanting to try panning/sluicing Trabuco Creek for sometime and wanted to see if anyone had any tips, spots or places to avoid? Can you find color without going to the end of the dirt road and hiking in (Parking lot for Holly Jim and Horse Thief Trail)? If you need to hike in- how far and which trail? I have been hearing warnings and story's about a larger than average snake population this year- have you had any challenges? It's that time of the year!
Thanks
Troy

I really want to get to Trabuco Creek and do some digging myself.
I ran an Ultramarathon in this area a couple of years back and had the Mine Shaft pointed out to me.
The only things I have seen or heard of regarding prospecting are the following videos on "youtube".
Hope I can get up there one day and test the color. I am not to far from there but, Gotta get me a good sluice first.
Good Luck to Ya!!!
The Oak
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Prospecting at Trabuco Creek 1/17/11
(slackmason's) Channel
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Trabuco Trail Gold Mine Shaft
(Dr.Skorzy) Channel

I was just about to say that it's probably not worth it, then I saw the video above. Still, the canyon was not known for gold mining. Silverado had a large silver mine that produced some gold as well.

I grew up at the base of Saddleback and been metal detecting out there many times. Was out there last Friday in fact. I was detecting at the concrete bridge at the beginning of the Cleveland NF, remember your Adventure pass. Didn't find anything, but that would be a good place to check since it is a 5-6' high solid concrete bridge waterfall. I don't see gold getting out of that area unless it's a major flood. It's totally dry right now.

I'd be happy to go out with you guys if your interested, but we have to be aware of the claims there.

Thanks for the feedback Oak and Mr Lee,
I'm going to head-up the next avaliable weekend after the first big rain storm if your interested. I have no idea were the spots that have shown color in the past. I figure you need water if you want to pan or sluice.

Lets try to stay in touch. It would be cool if we could hook up & hit Trabuco at the same time. Pooling our equipment so to speak. My problem is I am short a sluice right now but I sure as hell have a pan, shovel and snipe pump. Not afraid to work, get dirty and usually end up wet if there is even a drop of water within a mile. Could be humorous.
Damn that almost sounded like a classified ad.
Let us know if you head up there and how it turns out. I might be available on Sun. 14th & Mon. 15th. Good Luck

Im on the claims and i dont mind , But talk with HBprospector to make sure he doesnt mind there really his.... And he has been mining the canyon for years he will help you out on locating the right spots there....

Oak, answered your PM, but I'll say it here as well. The creek is claimed up, plots 4, 5 & 6 which covers most of the creek. I didn't research any of the other plots because I was only concerned with the creek.

The upper portion of horsethief canyon is mostly open. the good gold is deep…..10ft plus. i have been mining there for years and i find a little bit here and there. PM me and i’ll let you in on some places that are good

The upper portion of horsethief canyon is mostly open. the good gold is deep…..10ft plus. i have been mining there for years and i find a little bit here and there. PM me and i’ll let you in on some places that are good

I would love any hints you have. I'm trying to go out there with my Dad to have some panning fun and see what we can find. Any help would be appreciated. Also any advice would be awesome...